Stress Tests

Stress tests show how well your heart works when under stress.

Stress tests show how well your heart works when under stress. To do this, a health care provider will usually monitor your heart while you exercise on a treadmill or stationary bicycle. Most stress tests monitor your heart using electrodes that your provider places on your body. This is called an electrocardiogram (or EKG/ECG). It can record the electrical activity your heart makes when it beats. However, there are other types of stress tests, including: Stress echocardiograms , which take moving pictures of your heart using doppler ultrasound . These pictures show the size and shape of your heart and the blood flow through your heart before and after your heart has worked its hardest. Nuclear stress tests , which take pictures of your heart using a small amount of a radioactive substance called a “tracer” and a special camera that scans your heart. A provider injects the tracer into your bloodstream so that your heart and blood vessels can absorb it. Once they do, they will show up more clearly in the pictures your provider will take before and after your heart has worked its hardest. Cardiac MRI stress tests , which take the most detailed pictures of your heart using radio waves, magnets, and a computer. These newer tests are mostly used for very serious heart problems. Adenosine stress tests , which use a medicine (adenosine) to make your heart work as if you were exercising. Your provider can use this type of stress test if you aren't able to exercise. Though these tests differ in some ways, each of them checks: Blood flow in your heart Your blood pressure The rate and rhythm of your heartbeat The strength of the electrical signals that control your heartbeat Some stress tests also take pictures of your heart at rest and when it's working hard. The pictures provide more detail about how your heart is working. Other names: exercise stress test, treadmill test, stress EKG, stress ECG, exercise tolerance test, exercise EKG, stress echocardiogram, nuclear stress test, thallium stress test, sestamibi stress test, cardiac MRI stress test, myocardial perfusion imaging test, cardiac single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), stress perfusion test

Why is this test ordered? You may need a stress test if you have symptoms that could be from a heart condition. Symptoms may include: Chest pain or discomfort without a known cause Shortness of breath Irregular or rapid heartbeat that may feel like a fluttering in your chest Feeling dizzy or lightheaded You may also need a stress test to check your heart health if you: Have a heart condition with new or worsening symptoms. Have an upcoming surgery, and your provider wants to see if your heart is healthy enough for the procedure. Are being treated for heart disease. Have a high risk for heart disease. Your risk may be higher than normal if you have a family history of heart disease and/or certain conditions, such as diabetes , that are linked to heart disease. Plan to start an exercise program. If you have a heart condition or a high risk for a heart condition, a stress test can show what level of exercise is safe for you. (Always talk with your provider before starting any strenuous, new exercise.) Have a high-risk job. For example, you might need a stress test if you are a pilot.